Thursday, October 21, 2010

More on Shot Loads

When Termite brought the shot yesterday, I couldn't stand it, so I loaded some shot loads for the .44 magnum, using that #11 shot, then this afternoon took them out near the pond and let the grandkids help me test the difference between the #7 1/2 loads and the #11 loads.

The coke can on the left has been peppered with a load of 7 1/2 shot, the one on the right was hit with #11 shot. Both loads featured 6.4 grains of Unique and a 1.3 dipper full of shot. Range was about five feet. Either would be devastating to a little scurrying creature.

There's a cylinder full of shot loads in the foreground, along with a cylinder full in the revolver. That should be plenty for this year's hunting, unless the grandkids feel a need to destroy coke cans. I think it will win them extra "cool points" at show and tell next week.

4 comments:

Either one would be a very dead snake. The advantage to the #11 is better pattern density.

And Pawpaw is one up on me. I looked yesterday, and the only pistol powder I have is Hodgdon Lil Gun, which is for heavy pistol loads. My Speer manual lists a shotshell load using Red Dot, which is also great for light .38 target loads, so I'm gonna pick up a pound of that.

A long time ago we used to go out in the Nevada desert to shoot. My Dad gave me a Colt Navy 1851 replica, and I found it could shoot a small load of #9 shot reasonably well out to 6-7 feet.

So one day when we were out, I loaded a couple cylinders with shot, the rest with ball, told my friend I had a good feel for the gun now and asked him to toss a quarter up and out a few feet down range in front of me. Ping! Then another, just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. Ping! They were perhaps 3-4 feet from the muzzle.

Then he wanted to try it... not so "skilled" as I was ;). I did eventually 'fess up though.

About Me

I'm a grandpaw who has lived a life of adventure, and resent having to slow down. I've been a Tank Commander, a Company Commander, an MP. My main career has been law enforcement, with 30 years and counting. At this stage of my life, the most important people in my life call me PawPaw. You've come to PawPaw's House. Sit back and enjoy.
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